millet



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. W. MILLET.

FULLING MACHINE.

No. 397,813. Patented Feb. 12, 1889.

ola m Wm m U M m M 4 WITNESSES zam (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2; J. W. MILLET. v

FULLING MAGHINE.

N0. 39'7,813. Patented Feb. 12, 1889.

Fry J.

I J52 7m.

I BY Magma/(Q ATTORNEYS.

JOHN V. MILLET, OF DOLGEVILLE,

PATENT OFFICE.

NEIV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ALFRED DOLGE, OF SAME PLACE.

FULLING- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,813, dated February 12, 1889.

Application filed August 30, 1888. Serial No. 284,135. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN IV. MLLLET, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dolgc- Ville, in the county of IIerkimer and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvement-s in Fulling-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in fulling-machines, said improvement being pointed out in the following specification and claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a transverse vertical section in the plane :r to, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section in the plane y y, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. at is a front view. Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse vertical sections drawn on a larger scale than the previous figures and showing the plaitingapron in different positions from each other and from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Similar letters indicate correspondingparts.

In the drawings, the letter A designates a tank or vat, to the interior of which access can be had through doors B B. In the interior of the vat A is a drum or roller, 0, the shaft D of which is journaled in boxes E E, secured to the sides of the vat, and on this shaft is mounted a pulley, F, so that a revolving motion can be imparted to the drum 0. Over this drum is situated the roller Jr, the shaft H of which is journaled in boxes I I, which slide up and down in slots a in the sides of the vat, so that the roller G bears down upon the drum C by its inherent gravity, and that when a piece of felt or cloth is placed between the drum and the roller and a revolving motion is imparted to the drum the felt or cloth is fed forward.

On the shaft D of the drum C are loosely mounted two arms, J J, which carry the plaiting-apron K and the roller L. To the arms J J are firmly secured the toothed segments M M, each of which engages a worm, N, Fig. 2. These worms are mounted on shafts O O, which extend out through the back of the vat A, 1 and 3, and are geared together with a shaft, P, on which are mounted the hand wheels or cranks Q Q. By turning the shaft P both worm-shafts O O are caused to turn, and the segments M M, together with the cams J J and the plaiting-apron K, can be moved from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 5, and finally to that shown in Fig. 1, or to any position intermediate bei tween that shown in Fig. 6 and that shown in 1 Fig. 1.

The felt or cloth to be f ulled is placed upon i the drum 0 and under the feed-roller G in i the form of an endless band, and the plaitingapron K is adjusted in the position best adapted to the material to be fulled. When the drum 0 is revolved in the direction of the arrow shown on it in Fig. 1, the felt or cloth, in being forced over the apron K, is caused to form a series of plaits throughout its entire width, and these plaits are more or less close and steep, according to the position of the apron K. If this apron occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, the plaits are close together and almost vertical, and a strong fulling action is produced; but if the apron K is adjusted in the position shown in Fig. 5 the fulling action becomes less powerful, and if the apron K is adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 6 the fulling action. becomes a minimum.

It must be remarked that the drum C and the feed-roller Gdo not contribute to the fulling action of the apparatus. Their object is simply to feed the felt or cloth forward in the proper direction, and all danger of injuring the texture or strength of the fabric by overpressure, and also the danger of producing wrinkles in the fabric, is avoided.

lVhile the fulling operation progresses a supply of hot or cold water or other liquid is kept in the vat A.

For certain materials the fulling-apron K is advanced gradually to a higher position as the fulling operation progresses.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a f ulling-machine, the combination, with the drum C and feed-roller G, of a movable plaiting-apron, and mechanism, substantially as described, for adjusting the position of the plaiting-apron according to the desired intensity of the fulling action to be produced upon the material passing through the apparatus.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN W. MILLET. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

CHAS. GRAMER, O. E. TANNER. 

